I think they said they were yet to confirm what number he would be using - I assume something other than 2 and that he would start further back in the pack. Total guess work though!

He has Coma's bike according to the press, but he won!t carry the # 2 as he didn't finish 2nd last year. I'm not sure how many numbers are based on the previous years experience/results, but with no previous Rally results he won't be pulling a high number, or will he

He has Coma's bike according to the press, but he won!t carry the # 2 as he didn't finish 2nd last year. I'm not sure how many numbers are based on the previous years experience/results, but with no previous Rally results he won't be pulling a high number, or will he

There are a few number voids so the options are open.

Last year I believe Aubert with no rallye experience was 21 so I would guess Kurt would be around that number if they have some openings in that range.

Aubert sounds very French. Maybe put an extra 1 in front of that for an American rider

Fair enough, I am sure that the ASO treated Johnny probably more favorably that they will Kurt. I believe that Jonah was seeded 42 the first year... May be a better predictor of Kurt position.... Now the fact that he is supported by the KTM factory may make a difference though.

This is a criminal nonkicking Caselli it gets on the bike and is fast. The American rider Kurt Caselli take the motorcycle has vacated Marc Coma in the official team KTM for the Dakar 2013. Coma announced on Friday it would not run the Dakar, after failing to optimal recovery of a right shoulder injury suffered in an accident at the Rally of Morocco , two months ago. Caselli is an experienced enduro rider, who won the AMA National Hare and Hound in America and his latest success was a second place in the Baja 1000 this season, along with Ivan Ramirez . Caselli's official test driver KTM USA , division of the Dutch brand gringa and that earned him a promotion to one of the best bikes in the Dakar. Anyway, Caselli comes exclusively to experience and do not fight for the race, so if I had been a pilot as Marc Coma : The sub-team leader MRW KTM will Joan Pedrero , who in the last two years was the Coma backpacker in Dakar.

"Caselli will use the same bike as Marc, will gain experience and enjoy this adventure that is the Dakar, without pressure," said Alex Doringer , KTM team manager in Dakar, which also integrates the motorcycles that will drive the defending champion Cyril Despres and backpacking Ruben Faria .

Meanwhile, Caselli was thrilled with KTM's decision to include it in the best team in the world cross country rally: "It has always been a goal of my career racing in the Dakar. There would be no possible way for me to accomplish this without the support of KTM. Being able to run off-road competition in the world over the top of the best bike in the world is truly a blessing. Not only is a milestone in my career but in my life. " KTM has won the last 11 editions of the Dakar, which included an unbeaten in South America, where only Despres and Coma have achieved victories.

MARC COMA AND CYRIL DESPRES, THE ONLY TWO DRIVERS TO WIN THE DAKAR IN SOUTH AMERICA ON MOTORCYCLES. BOTH RUN FOR KTM, BUT ONLY YOU CAN DEFEND THE HEGEMONY DESPRES (PICTURE: RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE)

Besides the four official bikes, KTM has a very interesting candidate in the private motorcycle acquired by Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez and will be serviced by the Honda Racing XC Tamarugal .

What can she do Caselli? Probably fight for a place in the Top 10. Without Quinn Cody , still injured by several crashes including those suffered in the Dakar 2012 , Caselli will be the most important American pilot in the bike category. Definitely, the choice of pilot gringo collects much more in the world of marketing, as the curriculum Caselli not seem to be enough to get him on the bike Number 1 in Dakar. KTM has all the interest of a better position in the United States and its largest investment in motorsport, the Dakar. Let's see how it goes.

What can she do Caselli? Probably fight for a place in the Top 10. Without Quinn Cody , still injured by several crashes including those suffered in the Dakar 2012 , Caselli will be the most important American pilot

Not too much said about Quinn this year, ok he has had it rough since his crash last year and his move to KTM, but there has been no discussion about no KTM Dakar option, but one with Speedbrain instead!?

A question Will, or anyone with local knowledge - how much real dune riding is there on Hare and Hounds?

I mean mile after mile of soft stuff with 200 hundred foot + high dunes that need to be ridden fast with skill and knowledge of the best way to negotiate the terrain?

Dave Pearson broke the rules and fueled himself riding through the pits with the gas can blaming it on the dry break being stuck.. we have to pit on a mat.. a simple rule to keep our desert clean and the BLM nerds happy.